Against the Tide by Kat Martin

breather.
    â€œSo how are things going with Rafe?” Katie asked, appearing next to where Liv worked behind the breakfast counter.
    â€œIf you’re talking about the investigation, not very well. We need a lead, something that will point us in the right direction.”
    Katie smiled. “I was talking about you and Mr. Scorching Hot.” She grinned. “I heard you and Rafe went to the Catch last night.”
    One of Liv’s dark eyebrows went up. “Did you? Then you probably also know I met him there and we left in separate cars. We went to talk to Sam King. We’re trying to help the police. That’s all it was.”
    Katie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Like any woman with a vagina could sit in a bar with Rafe Brodie and keep her mind off sex.”
    â€œKatie!”
    â€œHey, I say go for it! I would.”
    Liv shook her head. “You know I love living in Alaska, but I don’t like the part where everyone knows everyone else’s business.”
    Katie just shrugged. “Like you said, you both went home in separate cars.” She grinned. “Unfortunately.”
    Liv just smiled.
    â€œBy the way, Cassie is coming in for the dinner shift. She called and talked to Nell. Cassie says she’s going crazy just sitting around the house thinking of Scotty. She begged Nell to let her work tonight.”
    Liv nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. Besides, you’ve been taking double shifts.” She cast Katie a look. “Maybe you can go down to the Catch and see if there’s anyone interesting around.”
    â€œMaybe I will.”
    â€œAs long as it isn’t Sam King.”
    Katie scoffed. “You’re right about that. The guy is a total hound dog.” Katie sailed off when a customer walked in, and Liv went back to work.
    She was busy refilling saltshakers when Nell ambled up. “Been busy all day,” the older woman said. “Kind of nice to see the place jumping like it used to.”
    â€œI’d definitely rather be busy.”
    â€œPlus you might actually make a profit.”
    Liv smiled. “Actually we’re doing better than my original projections.”
    â€œGood to hear. Means I’ll be able to keep my job.”
    Liv impulsively leaned over and hugged her. It was a little out of character, or at least out of character for Olivia Chandler. But maybe it was all right to start letting her guard down a little.
    â€œI couldn’t do it without you, Nell. Which reminds me. I’ve got to go out again tonight. We’re going to talk to Chip Reed. I hate to ask you to work for me, but—”
    â€œI want that bastard caught as much as you do. I don’t mind working. We can trade shifts and you can work tomorrow night.”
    â€œThat’d be great. Why don’t you go home for a while, get a little rest and come back for the supper shift?”
    â€œI think I will.” She lifted her apron off over her head. “So you’re meeting Rafe again tonight?”
    â€œHe’s picking me up at seven thirty.”
    â€œYou think Chip Reed could be involved?”
    â€œCassie dumped Chip for Scotty. Maybe that finally got to him. Maybe they argued about it. Who knows?”
    â€œCould be, I guess. So what do you think of Rafe?”
    Liv shrugged, but she couldn’t keep the color from creeping into her cheeks. “He’s nice enough.”
    â€œNice!” Nell hooted. “We’re talking about Rafe Turn-Your-Body-Into-A-Furnace Brodie here. Describing a man like that as nice ought to be a criminal offense.”
    Liv laughed. “All right, but if I tell you something, you have to take an oath of silence.”
    Nell drew a cross over her heart. “And hope to die,” she added.
    â€œHe’s the best kisser on planet Earth.”
    Nell’s salt-and-pepper eyebrows shot up. “I knew it! Lord, I’m starting to feel faint.” She waved a